2004 Dodge Dakota problems
Owners have filed 287 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Dakota with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 26.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of suspension at 18.5%.
Complaints287
Crashes12
Fires6
Injuries8
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Steering 26.8% · 77
Suspension 18.5% · 53
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.0% · 23
Power train 8.0% · 23
Electrical system 7.7% · 22
Air bags 5.6% · 16
Engine and engine cooling 4.2% · 12
Visibility 4.2% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire, 8 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 18 model years of the Dodge Dakota in this data, 2004 sits 12th by complaint volume. 2000 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 17 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 45,500 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns 2004 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the steering wheel became increasingly difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the diagnosis stated that the intermediate steering shaft failed. The failed component was replaced and the vehicle was repaired.The manufacturer was notified. The failure and current mileages were 74,000. The vin was unknown. Steering · reported at 74,000 miles
Dt: the consumer stated that there was a shimmy/vibration in the front suspension. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three separate times for inspection and repair. The rack and pinion, front shocks and all four tires had been changed. The problem still exist. The consumer had been in contact with the manufacturer. *Ak (12/05/05) the vehicle had been to three different dealers with no results. Steering · reported at 6,000 miles
The steering is hard when the vehicle is cold. . When you turn the steering wheel is stiff and hard to turn and does not go back to a neutral position. You have to manually turn the steering wheel back to straighten it out. When the vehicle is driven for a hour the steering improves. I have seen many other complaints about the same problem with the same vehicle. It is a safety hazard. Steering · reported at 54,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…